Looking for a particular blade shape in a folder...

amg137

amg137

Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Messages
615
Hi guys, new member here.
I'm a newcomer to the world of knife collecting - I only started EDCing about 9 months ago and just started collecting folders during the last month or so. Anyway, during my hours of poring over knife catalogs and websites I've fallen in love with a particular blade shape that seems to be quite rare, and I'm hoping you might be able to direct me to something similar in a folder. Namely, the spear/leaf-shaped blade of the early Bradley Kimura balisongs.
BRAD5500II.jpg

I realize that the blade shape is not ideal for most tasks and may be a bit annoying to sharpen, but I love it so much that I just don't care. I've searched for quite some time to find a similar production folder, but I haven't been able to find anything close enough so far.

Ideally, I would like to simply have that exact blade shape in a folder without shelling out more than about $300 (cheaper is better, I'm on a grad student budget). Alternatively, a similar shape would be acceptable so long as it has a recurve, spear point, and the little upswept grind towards the handle (is there a name for that?).
I would prefer that it be manual or assisted so that I can carry it (California :grumpy:) and have blade length between 2.5-4 inches. I don't particularly care about weight or blade steel on this, as it will be mostly for fondling and ultra-light EDC use.

If such a knife does not already exist, can you recommend someone that might be able to do a custom design that wouldn't cost more than my rent? I know this is a very specific request and I'm not terribly optimistic, but I'm hoping you guys will be able to help me out.
Thanks!
-amg137
 
amg137 said:
Hi guys, new member here.
I'm a newcomer to the world of knife collecting - I only started EDCing about 9 months ago and just started collecting folders during the last month or so. Anyway, during my hours of poring over knife catalogs and websites I've fallen in love with a particular blade shape that seems to be quite rare, and I'm hoping you might be able to direct me to something similar in a folder. Namely, the spear/leaf-shaped blade of the early Bradley Kimura balisongs.
BRAD5500II.jpg

I realize that the blade shape is not ideal for most tasks and may be a bit annoying to sharpen, but I love it so much that I just don't care. I've searched for quite some time to find a similar production folder, but I haven't been able to find anything close enough so far.

Ideally, I would like to simply have that exact blade shape in a folder without shelling out more than about $300 (cheaper is better, I'm on a grad student budget). Alternatively, a similar shape would be acceptable so long as it has a recurve, spear point, and the little upswept grind towards the handle (is there a name for that?).
I would prefer that it be manual or assisted so that I can carry it (California :grumpy:) and have blade length between 2.5-4 inches. I don't particularly care about weight or blade steel on this, as it will be mostly for fondling and ultra-light EDC use.

If such a knife does not already exist, can you recommend someone that might be able to do a custom design that wouldn't cost more than my rent? I know this is a very specific request and I'm not terribly optimistic, but I'm hoping you guys will be able to help me out.
Thanks!
-amg137
Click to expand...


Hello and welcome!

I really don't know if it floats your boat but have a look at the Spanish company Aitor and their "Castor" series (which come in small, medium and large sizes).

They are classic/old-school style European folders so no one-handed opening, no lock (but very stiff springs), no pants clip but are very functional with a proven design for generations.

Check out this very nice review of the smallest "Pequena" model.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1088969-The-Mighty-Pequena
 
Well no recurve but the Buck Nobleman has the upswept grind towards the handle you are looking for. I looked at one at a local store recently and thought it was a little small but at 2 5/8" blade length it falls within what you're looking for.
 
You beat me too it. Aitor are really cool knives. That was the first thing I thought of. They are inexpensive also.
 
Check out the A.G. Russell Spear Point Framelock. It's a nice little folder with a similar, though not identical, blade.
 
Wow, that Aitor is gorgeous - I'll definitely pick one up. While some modern features would be nice, I can't argue with the price.

As for the Buck Nobleman, I have found quite a few knives with the upswept grind (Kershaw Blur comes to mind), just none with the leaf shaped blade. Thanks for the suggestion though.

If you think of any more similar knives I'd love to hear about them.
 
crkt-onion-ripple-k406gxp-large.jpg


Grind lines are slightly different, but blade profile looks very similar to me.

*Sorry about the huge picture, the small sized one wouldn't work :o
 
Last edited:
amg137 said:
Wow, that Aitor is gorgeous - I'll definitely pick one up. While some modern features would be nice, I can't argue with the price.

. . .
Click to expand...

Glad I could help. Yep, very inexpensive as well. Take note also that they are carbon steel which occasionally needs a wipe-down with mineral oil or you could develop a patina to protect from rust. I've got my heart set on the "Mediana" medium model as well.
 
bpeezer said:
[IM]http://www.bladehq.com/imgs/shop-by-brand/all-crkt/crkt-onion-ripple-k406gxp-large.jpg[/IMG]

Grind lines are slightly different, but blade profile looks very similar to me.

*Sorry about the huge picture, the small sized one wouldn't work :o
Click to expand...
I immediently thought CRKT [ripple] when the OP's pic loaded. It would be very easy to grind the spine down just a little to make it more leaf shape.
 
Just remembered this one recently; Spyderco Rock Salt!

(Admittedly though it is beyond your stated requirements, a fixed blade and BIG. Definitely more for outdoors or a combat role. I'm just throwing this out for reference).


rocksalt1.jpg


FB20FBK_L.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top